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Richmond County
UGA Extension Office

Become a Master Gardener!

Registration for the 2024 Master Gardener Class is now closed. 

The waiting list for the 2025 Master Gardener Class is open. Contact uge3245@uga.edu or call 706-821-2350 to add your name to the 2025 contact list.


What is the Augusta Area Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program?

The Augusta Area Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program provides novice and seasoned gardeners with an intensive educational experience in horticulture principles, practices and pest management. Classes are taught by University of Georgia faculty and other subject area experts. Class topics include botany, plant physiology, soils, flowering plants, vegetable gardening, fruit gardening, herb gardening, organic gardening, entomology, plant pathology and disease control, landscape design, plant propagation, composting and more.

After completing the three-month educational component, participants perform 50 hours of volunteer service in their community before the end of the calendar year. Master Gardeners then continue to volunteer a minimum of 25 hours each year thereafter to retain their certification.

Who can participate?

The Augusta Area Master Gardener Extension Volunteer program is open to any adult in Richmond County or surrounding counties with an interest in horticulture and a desire to volunteer in the community. Master Gardener students enter the program with a variety of experience levels and skills. Before being accepted into the program, applicants must complete a background check required of all University of Georgia Extension Volunteers.

When is the orientation meeting?

The orientation meeting for the 2025 Class will be held one month prior to the start of class. The orientation meeting is open only to students that have already completed the registration process and been accepted into the 2025 Master Gardener program. Meeting time and location to be announced.

When is the training?

The next Master Gardener Training Program is scheduled to begin in January 2025. The class will meet twice weekly from 5:00pm-7:30pm, on Mondays and Wednesdays for 10 weeks until the class ends with a Final Exam and Graduation Ceremony at the end of March 2025. Contact the Richmond County Extension Office at (706) 821-2350 or uge3245@uga.edu to add your name to the contact list for the upcoming Master Gardener Class.

Where does the class meet?

The Master Gardener class will meet at the HUB for Community Innovation located on Chafee Avenue in Augusta, GA or at the Richmond County Library located on Telfair Street in Augusta, GA.

When can I register for the class?

Interested participants can contact Richmond County Extension year-round to add your name to the contact list for the next class. Registration for the upcoming class will open in the Fall. You can submit the completed application and volunteer agreement to uge3245@uga.edu or mail to Richmond Extension, 602 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901. Call 706-821-2350 or email uge3245@uga.edu to get started. Registration for the 2025 Master Gardener Class will open in October 2024.

How can you apply to be a Master Gardener?

Application and selection is the first step to becoming a Master Gardener. Because of the level and responsibility associated with the MGEV title, background screening, reference checking, and interview sessions precede acceptance into the program. The interview functions to match potential volunteers with the available project opportunities. The applicant’s availability and willingness to volunteer, suitability for volunteer assignments, previous volunteer experience, and specific skills are all important factors in the selection process. Also a part of the application and selection process is the signing of a few forms, like the UGA Volunteer Agreement and the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Application.

How much is registration?

Registration for the Master Gardener Class costs $225. Richmond County Extension accepts payments of cash, check, or money order payable to Richmond County Extension. Registration fees cover the cost of lectures, training, instructional materials and supplies used during class, in addition to the cost for your personal copy of the Georgia Master Gardener Handbook and your MGEV name badge.